As vendors develop, and hospitals shop for, electrophysiology (EP) information and reporting systems, there are several considerations that will contribute to the efficiency and longevity of these systems.

Recently, concerns have been raised that transradial (TR) cardiac catheterization significantly increases radiation exposure when compared with the conventional transfemoral (TF) approach. The current rapid uptake of TR in the United States is mainly due to its economic benefits and overall favorable patient outcomes. Perhaps most importantly, TR provides a measurable reduction in vascular complications, which translates to shorter time for ambulation and post-procedural stay. The reduction in bleeding with TR likely lowers mortality in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). One potential reason for the slow adoption of TR may be the perceived concern about increased radiation exposure.

The standard-of-care for dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for more than a decade has been clopidogrel (Plavix) plus aspirin. This standard is now being challenged by new agents — ticagrelor (Brilinta) and prasugrel (Effient). While the new agents are more effective at preventing platelet aggregation than clopidogrel, each has unique characteristics. Plavix went generic earlier this year, which may also impact decisions about which therapies to use.

August 27, 2012 — Positron Corp., a molecular imaging healthcare company, announced the submission of a drug master file (DMF) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredient- (API) grade strontium-82 through its wholly owned subsidiary, Manhattan Isotope Technology LLC (MIT).

August 24, 2012 — The Stage 2 meaningful use requirements for electronic health records (EHRs) were released Aug. 23 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). The rule specifies criteria that eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) must meet in order to qualify for CMS EHR incentive payments. In addition, it specifies payment reductions for EPs and facilities failing to demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology.

August 23, 2012 — Decision Resources, a research and advisory firm for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that the 12-month post-hospital acute coronary syndrome market will initially contract from just under $2 billion in 2011 to about $1.6 billion in 2013, mainly as a result of the U.S. genericization of clopidogrel (Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi’s Plavix) in 2012. Decision Resources forecasts that the post-hospital acute coronary syndrome antiplatelet/anticoagulant market will then expand to almost $2.7 billion in 2021, owing largely to uptake of oral agents with novel modes of action, such as AstraZeneca’s ticagrelor (Brilinta) and the CETP inhibitors, Merck’s anacetrapib and Eli Lilly’s evacetrapib.